The Banning Family Collection of Photographs, Part II, contains 1204 photographs and 23 photograph albums collected by the Banning family of Southern California from 1814 to 1979 (bulk 1880-1920). The three most substantial categories of images in this collection are views of Santa Catalina Island; Banning family properties and residences in southern California; and portraits of family members and relatives. Of special significance are the Catalina photographs documenting the development of the island from a natural enclave with a few inhabitants to a thriving tourist resort. Volume 7 in the Photograph Album section contains images of the devastating effects of the Catalina fire of 1915. Also of particular interest are photographs of the George S. Patton family. Photographers represented in the collection include Joseph Brent Banning; Bertrand and Co.; Bradley and Rulofson; C.T. Colliers; B.F. Conaway; Dewey Bros.; Hervé Friend; William M. Godfrey; Jarvis Studios; A.L. Mojonier; Payne, Stanton, and Co.; Putnam Studios; Reyes; F.G. Schumacher; Stanton and Burdick; Steckel Studios; Steckel and Lamson; and I.W. Taber.

The Banning Family played a pivotal role in the development of Southern California. Phineas Banning (1830-1885) immigrated to California from Philadelphia in 1852, and soon became a partner in a freight and stage-line business that ran between San Pedro and Los Angeles. He founded the settlement of Wilmington near San Pedro, which served as the hub of the Banning Company. Banning's many business interests included shipping, warehousing, real estate, and transportation services to Los Angeles and inland areas. The Banning Company continued under the direction of Phineas's sons, William, Joseph Brent (J.B.), and Hancock, until the company dissolved in 1920.

27 boxes (22.61 linear feet)

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